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Lakers star LeBron James,
Certainly, the spectacle of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James putting up a triple-double last Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks raised the notion that perhaps James is a lot longer away from wrapping up his impressive 23-year career than many would expect. He is 41, yes, and that is a big number, but he still has ample capability for big numbers on the court.
But James is entering the final year of his contract with the Lakers, and there have been rumblings that the team will be willing to let him go this offseason–and, maybe, that L.A. would prefer it, so that the Lakers can get on with the business of building the roster around star guard Luka Doncic. That could leave James looking for a new team, with his hometown Cavaliers remaining the favorite to bring him back for a third stint.
There is, too, the option of simply retiring. That’s very much on the table for James. It’s also something of a nightmare scenario for the NBA.
Lakers’ LeBron James Has ‘Carried the Torch’ for the NBA
That’s the view, at least, of former NBA champion and ESPN talker Kendrick Perkins. Appearing on the morning show, “First Take,” Perkins suggested that the NBA is not prepared for a post-LeBron James reality.
Indeed, the influence of James is pervasive and goes well beyond the court.
“Is the NBA ready for life after LeBron? Hell no. Hell no. They’re not. Let me say this …” Perkins said. “NBA Finals, winning championships, that’s only a small percentage of what LeBron James has done for the NBA, for carrying the torch and wearing the cap for over two decades of being the face of the league.”
Lakers Signing Helped Boost Visibility
Perkins, a former James teammate with the Cavaliers, also pointed out that James’ reach is extensive, with 157 million Instagram followers and 48 million on Twitter/X. That only got more so when he landed with the Lakers in 2018. By way of comparison, Stephen Curry has 58 million Instagram followers and 17 million on Twitter/X.
“When you just go and look at his social media following, we’re talking about over 200 million followers,” Perkins said. “Name me another basketball player that comes close to that. We can’t. When you talk about packing arenas on the road, LeBron James does that at every arena that they pull up in. He’s been doing that for the last two-plus decades.
“When you talk about jersey sales, when you talk about selling shoes, along with delivering on the floor and making sure you don’t disappoint the fans and being available, he has done that.”
Kendrick Perkins
GettyKendrick Perkins
LeBron James Remains ‘Relevant’
And James should be credited, not only with breathing some life into the post-Kobe Bryant Lakers, but with breathing life into an NBA that, in 2003, was still wobbling after the retirement (and failed return) of Michael Jordan.
Consider that, in 2003, the NBA salary cap–determined as a percentage of the league’s income–was $40 million. It will have more than quadrupled by next season, at $166 million. Like James or not, he has been the driving force of that growth.
As Perkins also pointed out, he has managed to do so without off-court scandals or bad behavior. By any measure, James is a respected husband and father, not always common among top-level athletes in any sport.
Said Perkins: “Let’s not sit up here and take for granted at all what this man has been through, and what he has done. Hell, we come on television every damn day and if LeBron James played the night before, we gonna talk about LeBron James the next day. Because he’s relevant. Because people want to know.”